Ack! A bit of a writers block…Thank you so much to all my reviews, and I'll take all your advice to heart! : )
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Kiara looked up at the starless black sky. Not even the moon was out tonight…she threw another backward glance to the hyenas. She looked over at Kovu, her mate, and wondered who Shenzi's mate was. She must have been really slowing down, because soon Kovu said, "Come on Kiara, a little faster." Kiara sighed, and trudged on. When they reached Pride Rock, Shenzi walked sadly out to the rock, the rock where Kovu had once slept under. Kiara threw a sad glance towards her, and Bonzai just stared blankly back. Kovu sighed, and nuzzled Kiara. "We'll take care of it in the morning, honey," he said.
Kiara nuzzled back. "I know…" she said. "But they are the only ones left, Kovu."
Kovu looked resignedly towards Simba. "I know. But they helped kill your Grandfather. You know that was an unbelievably tragic time for Simba," he said.
Kiara nodded. She'd never known her grandfather. From how her father talked, he was a wondrous ruler. Under his reign the grass was always lush and green, the trees full, and the herds always were plentiful. She sighed sadly. "But still…"she said.
"Go to sleep!" hissed a lioness.
Kiara and Kovu smiled weakly at each other, and tried to fall asleep. Kovu fell asleep easily, but for some reason, Kiara couldn't stop thinking about the pack of lions that had attacked the hyena's land. Somewhere, deep inside her, a feeling stirred, and she went cold with dread. She knew what that feeling was. Recognition. She tried to brush it off, and she soon fell into a light, uneasy sleep.
In the morning, Kovu nudged Kiara awake. "Kiara," he whispered lightly. "Kiara!"
Kiara bolted up, her fur sticking in array directions, barely awake. "Wha?" she muttered.
"Simba is seeing the hyenas off," Kovu said.
Kiara got up and stretched. She yawned, and tried to smooth down her fur. "Okay," she said, more awake now. As the pair walked outside, Kiara blinked. The sun was very very bright this morning. She looked around. Everything was perfect, it was a beautiful morning. The sky was light and blue, with big lazy clouds rolling by. Over yonder there was a big herd of antelope grazing peacefully. She shook her head sadly. This was barely a morning to be happy, no matter how perfect it looked.
Simba looked at the hyenas, Shenzi especially. "You have stayed your welcome. Now you must leave. Never come back," he said coldly.
Shenzi nodded, head down, tears escaping her eyes. She didn't say anything. She made a noise that might have been a thanks, and turned and left.
Bonzai, was a bit more objective. "But where will we go? Where will we stay?" he said pointedly.
Simba growled. "That is none of my concern! Now go!" he yelled, and then turned and walked back into the cave, where Nala was waiting for him. She threw a sad head nod at Shenzi, who didn't see, and the nuzzled Simba, muttering sweet nothings to him.
Kiara made sure her father wasn't looking, and ran to Bonzai. "There is an oasis in the middle of the desert. There's no meat there, so learn to eat bugs. There's plenty of fresh water, and shelter. You'll be safe there," she said, and pushed Bonzai gently with her paw.
Bonzai's eyes widened. "Er, uh, thanks, Kiara," he said, then ran off after his sister. Kiara watched them go, and when she could no longer see them. She went back to Kovu and cried on his shoulder.
Kovu nuzzled her. "They'll be fine, Kiara, I promise. They'll be fine," he soothed.
Kiara swallowed her sobs, and smiled through her tears. "Okay," she said. She went back into the cave, Kovu at her side, and ran right into a little brown cub. Javis, Vitani's son. He looked up, startled. "Oh…uh, hi, Aunt Kiara! Hey, Uncle Kovu! I wasn't going to sneak out and do anything I wasn't supposed to, or anything! What are you talking about?!" he stammered, grinning nervously. It was obvious he was lying.
Kiara laughed and took the little cub in. He was about three months old, brown fur with cream colored muzzle, ear rings, and underbelly. He did however, have a pink Pridelander nose. Vitani had mated with a wandering male, who had joined their pride for a while. But then, he left and it broke Vitani's heart. Kiara hadn't seen much of her since then. "Okay, Javis. Whatever you say…but, you wouldn't mind if, I, oh, I don't know, TICKLED YOU?!?" Kiara shrieked, her sadness gone away. Cubs brought Kiara such joy.
"Ah! Noo!!" Javis squeaked, and tried to get away. Kiara caught him in her paws, and started tickling him madly.
Kovu laughed, watching his nephew and mate. "Kiara would be a great mother-and the best Queen there ever was. Why can't she see that?" he thought.
Kiara continued to tickled the little cub as he shrieked with laughter. Then she heard a mighty yawn, and a tawny, freckled face lion with bright blue eyes came staggering towards her. When Vitani figured out who was "torturing" her cub, she broke into a wide grin. "Good morning, Kiara!" she said happily.
Kiara released Jarvis, finally, giggling, and said. "Hey Vitani."
Jarvis ran to his mother and hid in between her legs. Then he popped his out and stuck out his tounge.
Kiara and Kovu laughed, together.
Vitani eyed Kiara's belly closely. "So, I heard Pops gave you the okay to populate," she said, in her usual Vitani-way.
Kiara giggled. "Yeah," she said.
"So!" Vitani pestered. "Are you going to!?"
Kovu looked at Kiara. He desperately wanted cubs, but since he'd grown up with no parents, basically, he didn't think he'd make a very good father.
Kiara caught his gaze, and looked at him sternly, as if to say, Shut up. You'd be a great father and you know it. "I don't know," she began a bit nervously. "Daddy says that if we have cubs, when our cub is born I'd become Queen, and I don't know if I'm ready for that…" she said.
Vitani looked at them, awestruck, as Jarvis sat behind her and swatted at her tail. "What?! Power! Dominance! What more to ask for?" she teased, smiling. "Kiara, you'd be a lovely Queen. And a lovely mother," she said.
Kiara looked up at Vitani, surprised. Vitani never used the word lovely! Then a realization dawned upon her… It must be true…
